ABERDEEN chairman Dave Cormack believes there could be no football played in Scotland until 2021.
Dons boss Derek McInnes and his players have accepted wage deferrals of up to 30 per cent to help the club save £1.1million during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
There is also an additional £2million from the Pittodrie chief’s investment group that will aid the club during crucial months of the game being in cold storage.
However, the US-based businessman is not optimistic that supporters will be back in the stands anywhere in the country this year.
Cormack, speaking to the Sunday Post, said: “Having talked to a number of owners of major sports franchises in the United States, privately they are planning for no sport to be played in front of crowds until the end of this year.
“Let’s say we are able to relax the isolation in June or July.
“Can you go and be playing games the next day in front of thousands of people? That’s probably not likely
“We must make absolutely sure that in anything we do, we look after players and their health. So, first and foremost, even behind closed doors, is it safe for the players to play?
POINTING THE WAY … Derek McInnes, puts forward hiw view.
“I chatted to Ron Gordon of Hibs yesterday and my view is that we need to pull something together for all the games to be shown live.
“For example, the season tickets the fans are buying right now would allow them to see the games live.
“I’m probably getting ahead of myself here, but I just think it is important for us to plan for what might be.”
Team boss McInnes added: “I think if there’s a way it can be finished, then we can’t give up on that too soon.
“But we’re all realistic enough to know that, as the weeks go by, that’s becoming less likely. There are some tough decisions to be made if that isn’t going to be the case.
“At the top, I think if Rangers and Celtic had been even closer together, it would have been a tougher decision.
“I think the likelihood is that Celtic would go on and win the league.
“So I think that decision – unless you’re a Rangers supporter – might be easier to deal with, and I see a lot of common sense in that.
“Hearts still had the ability to get themselves out of trouble, although they’ve been in and around the bottom for quite a while.
“I don’t want to see Hearts relegated. They’re a fantastic club that offer so much to the league.”
